ISG Allegro LW-AL-CMV12000C-USB3 COLOR Technical Manual

1387 Fairport Road, Suite 890 | Fairport, NY 14450 | P: 585-388-5220 | F: 585-388-5223 | isgcameras.com

Technical Manual

Allegro

USB3 Vision™ Cameras

Version 2.0.2

Last Revision 6/20/2018

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Table of Contents

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 5

About This Guide ........................................................................................................................................... 5

Support ........................................................................................................................................................... 5

FCC Compliance ............................................................................................................................................ 6

Hardware Warranty ........................................................................................................................................ 6

WEEE ............................................................................................................................................................. 6

Trademarks ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

Allegro USB3 Specifications ............................................................................................................................ 7

General Specifications ............................................................................................................................... 7

Handling Precautions and Camera Care .................................................................................................. 10

Case Temperature and Heat Dissipation ................................................................................................. 10

Allegro USB3 Installation .............................................................................................................................. 11

Before You Install ......................................................................................................................................... 11

Will your system configuration support the camera? ............................................................................. 11

Recommended USB3 Interface Cards: .................................................................................................... 11

Do you have all the parts you need? ........................................................................................................ 11

Do you have the required software? ........................................................................................................ 12

Installing your Software ............................................................................................................................... 12

Overview .................................................................................................................................................. 12

Installing Your Camera ................................................................................................................................. 12

Camera Firmware ......................................................................................................................................... 13

Determining Firmware Version ............................................................................................................... 13

Upgrading Camera Firmware .................................................................................................................. 13

Allegro USB3 Attributes ................................................................................................................................ 14

Pixel Formats ................................................................................................................................................ 14

Mono ........................................................................................................................................................ 14

RGB ........................................................................................................................................................... 14

YCrCb/YUV ............................................................................................................................................... 14

Image Format Control .............................................................................................................................. 15

Shutter Types ............................................................................................................................................... 16

Global Shutter .......................................................................................................................................... 16

Rolling Shutter ......................................................................................................................................... 17

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Rolling Shutter with Global Reset ........................................................................................................... 18

Allegro USB Software and Control ............................................................................................................... 19

Using the Medley SDK ................................................................................................................................. 19

Custom Applications Built Using the ISG Legacy API ............................................................................... 19

Allegro USB3 Operation using GenICam .................................................................................................... 20

Using GenICam Applications ....................................................................................................................... 20

GenICam Acquisition Control ...................................................................................................................... 20

Transfer Mode Summary ......................................................................................................................... 22

Trigger and Strobe Control ........................................................................................................................... 23

Asynchronous Triggering ......................................................................................................................... 23

Standard External Trigger ....................................................................................................................... 24

Bulb Shutter Trigger ................................................................................................................................ 25

Burst Mode Trigger (Edge Detect) .......................................................................................................... 26

Burst Mode Trigger (Level Detect) .......................................................................................................... 27

External Trigger Timing ........................................................................................................................... 28

Asynchronous Software Triggering ......................................................................................................... 28

Programmable Strobe Output ................................................................................................................... 29

GenICam Additional Features ...................................................................................................................... 30

Device Control .............................................................................................................................................. 30

Digital IO Control ......................................................................................................................................... 32

Analog Control ............................................................................................................................................. 33

Transport Layer Control ............................................................................................................................... 34

User Sets ....................................................................................................................................................... 35

GenICam User Set Control ........................................................................................................................... 36

Hardware Specifications ................................................................................................................................ 36

Powering the Camera .................................................................................................................................. 36

Allegro USB3 Physical Description .............................................................................................................. 37

Allegro USB3 Dimensions ............................................................................................................................ 39

Mounting with the Case or Optional Tripod Mount .................................................................................... 40

Dust Protection ............................................................................................................................................ 40

Infrared Cutoff Filters ................................................................................................................................... 41

USB 3.0 Connector ....................................................................................................................................... 42

Interface Cables ............................................................................................................................................ 43

Interface Card ............................................................................................................................................... 43

Trigger/Strobe IO Connector Details ........................................................................................................... 43

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Camera Trigger Details ................................................................................................................................ 44

Camera Strobe Details ................................................................................................................................. 45

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Introduction

Allegro smart cameras are the Intelligent Solution for your needs. Allegro cameras feature compact form factors, high

resolution and high performance, along with unmatched programmability and flexibility for vision system designers.

We put more intelligence in the camera with large FPGAs, huge image buffers and other features to improve

performance and simplify integration.

The internal LightWise® Image Pipeline enables us to differentiate our image quality from the competition. Since

Allegro cameras are easier to integrate with our Medley SDK, you will get your vision systems to market faster, with

better performance and higher margins.

About This Guide

This manual contains information, instructions, and guidelines for the Allegro USB3 Camera system. It provides a

detailed introduction, including care, installation, use, interface guides, physical descriptions, and functional

specification. This camera system is one that is complex and continually improved. Therefore if any errors or

omissions are found, please contact us using the Support information below.

This symbol highlights important information.

This symbol highlights important instructions, ones that you must follow to avoid malfunction

Support

Contact Type

Contact Information

Email

Sales@isgcameras.com; [email protected]om

Knowledge Base and

Downloads

www.isgcameras.com

Main Office

Imaging Solutions Group of NY, Inc

1387 Fairport Road, Suite 890

Fairport, NY 14450

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FCC Compliance

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Its operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesirable

operation.

Hardware Warranty

The Allegro USB3 Camera shall be covered under an industry leading hardware warranty for four (4) years. To obtain

detailed information on how to repair or replace your camera please contact support@isgcameras.com. Also see the

terms and conditions on our website for more details:

http://isgcameras.com/docs/company/ISG_Standard_Tems_and_Conditions.pdf

WEEE

This product may not be treated as household waste. When the product is ready to be disposed of please ensure you

follow the appropriate waste handling method as the improper disposal of this product may cause potential hazards to the

environment and human health. For more detailed information about disposing of, or recycling of this product please

contact Imaging Solutions Group.

Trademarks

Imaging Solutions Group, LightWise

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Allegro USB3 Specifications

Building on the success of the original LightWise 1394 camera series, the Allegro camera offers many new features,

including enhanced opto-isolated GPIO, an on-camera frame buffer, non-volatile flash memory for data storage,

new trigger modes and improved imaging performance.

General Specifications

Camera Name

Sensor

Vendor

Technology

Image

Sensor

Frame

Size

Resolutio

n

Pixel

Size

Color

LW-AL-CMV2000C-USB3

COLOR

CMOSIS

CMOS

CMV2000

2 MP

2048 x

1024

5.5 µm

Color

LW-AL-CMV2000M-USB3

MONO

CMOSIS

CMOS

CMV2000

2 MP

2048 x

1024

5.5 µm

Mono

LW-AL-CMV4000C-USB3

COLOR

CMOSIS

CMOS

CMV4000

4 MP

2048 x

2048

5.5 µm

Color

LW-AL-CMV4000M-USB3

MONO

CMOSIS

CMOS

CMV4000

4 MP

2048 x

2048

5.5 µm

Mono

LW-AL-CMV12000C-USB3

COLOR

CMOSIS

CMOS

CMV12000

12 MP

4096 x

3072

5.5 µm

Color

LW-AL-CMV12000M-USB3

MONO

CMOSIS

CMOS

CMV12000

12 MP

4096 x

3072

5.5 µm

Mono

LW-AL-IMX172C-USB3 COLOR

Sony

CMOS

IMX172

12 MP

4000 x

3000

1.55

Color

LW-AL-IMX174C-USB3 COLOR

Sony

CMOS

IMX174

2.3 MP

(HD+)

1920 x

1200

5.86

µm

Color

LW-AL-IMX174M-USB3 MONO

Sony

CMOS

IMX174

2.3 MP

(HD+)

1920 x

1200

5.86

µm

Mono

LW-AL-IMX178M-USB3 MONO

Sony

CMOS

IMX178

6.3 MP

3072 x

2048

2.4 µm

Mono

LW-AL-IMX249C-USB3 COLOR

Sony

CMOS

IMX249

2.3 MP

(HD+)

1920 x

1200

5.86

µm

Color

LW-AL-IMX249M-USB3 MONO

Sony

CMOS

IMX249

2.3 MP

(HD+)

1920 x

1200

5.86

µm

Mono

LW-AL-IMX250C-USB3 COLOR

Sony

CMOS

IMX250

5.1 MP

2464 x

2056

3.45

µm

Color

LW-AL-IMX250M-USB3 MONO

Sony

CMOS

IMX250

5.1 MP

2464 x

2056

3.45

µm

Mono

LW-AL-IMX253C-USB3 COLOR

Sony

CMOS

IMX253

12.3 MP

4096 x

3000

3.45

µm

Color

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LW-AL-IMX253M-USB3 MONO

Sony

CMOS

IMX253

12.3 MP

4096 x

3000

3.45

µm

Color

LW-AL-FK160K-USB3-COLOR

Omnivision

CMOS

OV6946

160k

400 x 400

1.75 µm

Color

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Imaging Performance

Sensor Image Data

A/D Converter

10 and or 12 bit in sensor

Video Data Output

8,10 and 12 bit firmware available

Image Data Formats

Mono:8 or 10 bit packed, 12 bit firmware available

Color: Bayer 8 or 10 bit packed, RGB, YCC 422

Image Processing Pipeline

(Color Models)

Bayer Interpolation, Gamma, White Balance, Color Space Conversion and Correction

Partial Image Modes

Binning and Region of Interest (ROI) Modes

Shutter

Global Shutter with Programmable Integration

Gain

Programmable Digital Gain

Digital Interface

USB 3.0 interface with screw locks for camera control, data and power

Transfer Rates

5 Gbit/s

GPIO

12-pin Hirose HR10A GPIO, opto isolated trigger, 2 opto isolated strobes

External Trigger Modes

Single Frame, Burst Mode, Bulb Mode

Synchronization

Via external trigger or software trigger

Image Buffer

256 MB Buffer

Flash Memory

8 MB nonvolatile flash memory

Dimensions

Mass

Power Consumption

5V via USB3.0 interface, maximum <4.5W

Machine Vision Standard

IIDC v 1.32, USB3 Vision v1

Camera Control

Via ISG SDK, CSRs, or third party software

Camera Updates

In-field firmware updates

Lens Mount

C-mount

Temperature

Operating: 0 to 5o C; Storage -30 to 70 C

Humidity

Operating: 20 to 80% (no condensation); Storage 20 to 90% (no condensation)

Compliance

CE, FCC, RoHS

Operating System

Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10

Warranty

Four Years

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Handling Precautions and Camera Care

Opening the camera housing will cause damage and will void the hardware warranty detailed in the beginning of

this document. Since the Allegro Camera is a precisely manufactured device it must be handled with care. Some tips

for device care are below:

1. Electrostatic charging should be avoided

2. Avoid touching the lens when handling the camera, as fingerprints will affect the quality of the image

produced by the device.

3. When cleaning the lens do not use excessive force and please use a standard camera lens cleaning kit or

clean dry cotton cloth.

4. Avoid exposure to bright sunlight, dusty environments, rain etc. as this may cause problems with the

electronic and optics of the system.

5. Mishandling of the device such as excessive shaking, dropping and force should be avoided.

Case Temperature and Heat Dissipation

For the camera to function correctly, it is required to provide sufficient heat dissipation for the internal operating

environment. Since the camera electronics are neatly packed into a small space it can become very warm to the

touch when running in some modes; this is expected behavior and will not damage the electronics.

The use of a cooling fan to set up positive air flow around the camera in order reduce is suggested. Please take into

consideration the following precautions:

1. Mount the camera on a heat sink that is composed of a heat conductive material like aluminum, such as a

camera mounting bracket.

2. Ensure the flow of heat from the camera case to the bracket is not blocked by a non-conductive material like

plastic.

3. Provide enough space around the camera to facilitate the free flow of air.

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Allegro USB3 Installation

Before You Install

Will your system configuration support the camera?

Operating System

CPU

RAM

Video

Ports

Software

Windows 7, 8,

8.1, 10

(Linux

Supported via

USB3 vision

Standard)

Intel Core

i3 3.1

GHz or

equivalent

4GB

128 MB

RAM

PCIe 2.0 compatible

host controller with

USB 3.0 connector

Microsoft Visual Studio

2010

(to compile and run

example code)

Recommended USB3 Interface Cards:

The USB3 desktop motherboards supporting the Intel Z77 or Z78 chipset or newer will support high bandwidth

USB3. USB3 cards may also be added to provide the ports. The two cards below have been successfully tested with

ISG cameras:

1. 2-port card, both ports share a total 5 Gbps bandwidth:

http://isgcameras.com/product/u12-startech-pexusb3s24-2-port-hba/

2. 4-port card, with each port having its own 5 Gbps bandwidth for total of 20 Gbps.

http://isgcameras.com/product/u13-startech-pexusb3s44v-4-port-hba/

Do you have all the parts you need?

To install your camera you will need the following components:

1. USB 3.0 cable (see Interface Cables)

2. 12-pin Trigger/Strobe cable

3. C-mount Lens

4. Tripod adapter (optional) (see Mounting with the Case or Optional Tripod Mount)

5. Interface card

ISG sells a number of the additional parts required for installation. To purchase, please visit the ISG Web Site.

www.isgcameras.com

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Do you have the required software?

There are many helpful resources available to you on the ISG downloads page including:

1. Software; including drivers that are needed for installation

2. Firmware; updates and release notes.

3. Dimensional drawings and CAD Models

4. Documentation

Installing your Software

Overview

In order to operate the ISG USB3 camera, please visit the ISG website (http://www.isgcameras.com) for the software

downloads and installation instructions. For more information see Allegro USB Software and Control in this

document.

Installing Your Camera

1. Install the Tripod Mounting Bracket (optional)

2. Attach a Lens

a. Unscrew the dust cap from the C-mount lens holder to install a lens

3. Connect the interface card and cable to the camera

a. Plug the interface cable into the host controller and the camera. The cable jack screws should be

used for a secure connection

4. Plug in the GPIO Connector (optional)

a. GPIO can be used for trigger and strobe

5. Confirm successful installation

a. Check the device manager to confirm the installation was successful

b. Go to the start menu and select run and enter devmgmt.msc

c. Verify the camera is listed as Allegro U3V (this will normally be found under the “ibusb (WinUSB)

devices” header)

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Camera Firmware

Firmware is programming that is inserted into the programmable memory (programmable ROM) of ISG

cameras. Firmware is created and tested like software. When ready, it can be distributed like other software and

installed in the programmable memory by the user.

The latest firmware versions often include significant bug fixes and feature enhancements. To determine the

changes made in a specific firmware version, consult the Release Notes.

Firmware is identified by a version number, a build date, and a description.

Determining Firmware Version

To determine the firmware version number of your camera:

1. In the ISG, open the "About" Dialog.

2. Query the GenICam feature DeviceFirmwareVersion.

Upgrading Camera Firmware

Camera firmware can be upgraded or downgraded with either an earlier or later version contact

support@isgcameras.com.

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Allegro USB3 Attributes

Pixel Formats

The pixel formats describe the encoding scheme of the pixels in the camera output images. Pixel formats describe

each pixel in terms of color encoding, bit depth and formatting within the data stream.

Pixel formats conform to the GenICam Pixel Format Naming Convention (PFNC) v2.0. The full

PFNC can be found on the EMVA.org website and contains more details than provided below.

Not all features are available on all cameras.

The camera sensor Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) produces pixels at a particular bit depth, typically 10 bits. If the

selected pixel format has fewer bits than the ADC output, the least significant bits are dropped. If the selected pixel

format has more bits per pixel than the ADC, the least significant bits are padded with zeros.

Mono

Mono formats include Mono8 (8 bit per pixel) and Mono10p (10 bits per pixel). Mono cameras only output these

formats. Selecting a Mono format bypasses image processing features and thus offers the highest frame rates

available.

RGB

Color sensors using a Bayer color filter array support Bayer pixel formats. The camera supports BayerLM8 and

BayerLM10p. Where L and M are one of R, G, or B and describe the ordering of pixels within the Bayer pattern (see

the PFNC document). These formats require the host software to reconstruct a full color image. The color

processing in the camera is bypassed when a Bayer format is selected offering the highest available frame rate.

YCrCb/YUV

This format consists of a brightness (luma) component, Y, and color (chroma) components Cb and Cr (also referred

to as U and V). So called YCC444 format is 24 bits per pixel. Subsampling the chroma channels allows YCbCr data to

use 16 bits per pixel for a faster transfer rate without significant visual difference. This is referred to as YCC422.

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Image Format Control

Name

Display Name

Description

Value

Width

Width of the image provided

by the device (in pixels)

Sensor Dependent

Height

Height of the image provided

by the device (in pixels

Sensor Dependent

Offset X

X Offset

Horizontal offset from the

origin to the region of

interest (in pixels)

Offset Y

Y Offset

Vertical offset from the

origin to the region of

interest (in pixels)

PixelFormat

Pixel Format

Format of the pixels provided

by the device. It represents

all the information provided

by PixelCoding, PixelSize,

PixelColorFilter combined in

a single feature

Sensor Dependent

Mono8, Mono10p

Bayer8, Bayer10p, RGB8,

YCC444, YCC422

RegionSelector

Region Selector

Selects region of interest

(ROI) to control. Region0

represents a read-only

composite image

constructed from all of the

enabled ROI regions.

RegionMode

Region Mode

Controls whether the

selected region of interest

(ROI) is active and streaming

Off

On

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Shutter Types

Global Shutter

For each frame in cameras with a global shutter sensor the start and stop time for exposure is the same. The length of

time for exposure is also the same.

For cameras with a global shutter sensor, for each frame all of the lines start and stop exposure at the same time.

The exposure time for each line is the same. Following exposure, data readout begins. The readout time for each

line is the same but the start and end times are staggered.

Increased uniform brightness and minimal motion blur are some advantages of global shutter.

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Rolling Shutter

For each frame in cameras with a rolling shutter sensor the exposure for each line begins at an offset equal the readout

time for each line. While the exposure time for each line is the same, the start and stop times are staggered. Each

line’s data readout begins immediately following the exposure. Readout time for each line has the same length but

staggered start and stop times.

Increase sensitivity is one of the advantages of rolling shutter, however due to the varying start times

throughout the frame, there are known artifacts such as skew, wobble and partial exposure. Please see rolling

for additional information.

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Rolling Shutter with Global Reset

For each frame in cameras with a rolling shutter with global reset, the lines have the exposure start time while the

stop time for exposure is delayed by the offset of the previous line’s readout. For each line the exposure time

gradually lengthens and data readout begins immediately following the line’s exposure. While the readout time for

each line is the same, the start and stop times are staggered.

The reduction in image artifacts such as skew and wobble that can be typical of rolling shutters is an advantage of

the global reset feature. However, due to increased exposure length throughout each frame there may be an

increase in brightness moving from top to bottom on an image.

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Allegro USB3 Software and Control

The Allegro USB3's features can be accessed using various controls, including:

1. ISG Medley SDK - extensive support for a comprehensive variety of industry standard programming

interfaces and methodologies. Designed for plug-and-play operation.

2. ISG Legacy SDK - API examples and the ISG GUI program. Designed for custom C/C++ applications.

3. GenICam based 3rd party and customer specific applications using ISG libraries

Examples of the controls are provided throughout this document. This camera family follows the Standard Features

Naming Convention version v2.3. The SFNC will give more detailed usage models and descriptions of operations.

Using the Medley SDK

Medley is a powerful SDK is included with all Allegro cameras. It is designed for plug-and-play operation using

popular environments like Visual Studio C/C++/C#, MATLAB, LabVIEW, DirectShow, TWAIN, ImageJ and more. The

user can monitor or control features of the camera through Medley API examples or through the Medley GUI.

The Medley GUI is a streaming image viewer that can be used to test many of the capabilities of your Allegro

camera. It allows you to view a live video stream from the camera, save individual images, adjust the various video

formats, frame rates, properties and settings of the camera, and access camera registers directly.

For more information on the Medley SDK, visit http://isgcameras.com/medley-sdk

Custom Applications Built Using the ISG Legacy API

The ISG API that allows customers to create custom applications to control ISG Imaging Products. Included in

downloads that are available on the ISG web site are a number of source code examples to help programmers get

started.

Available downloads include:

1. Compiled and installable GUI.

2. Source code examples from the ISG GUI indicating how to access camera parameters.

(IsgU3VGuiSample.zip)

3. The ISG DLL Header file which describes the API, and an API description document

(ISG_USB3_Interface_Guide_ISG_U3V_API.pdf).

4. Instructions on how to locate the Header file can be found in: ISG_USB3_Interface_Guide_ISG_U3V_API.pdf

For more information on the Legacy SDK, http://isgcameras.com/allegro-usb-3-documentation-drivers-update

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Allegro USB3 Operation using GenICam

Using GenICam Applications

USB3 Vision is a communication interface for vision applications based on the USB 3.0 technology. All cameras

supporting USB3 Vision interact the same way with software also supporting USB3 Vision.

The standard defines required elements for camera identification, control, and output. It uses GenICam, a

programming interface for camera attribute control. GenICam allows camera vendors to define features and

attributes in an XML file stored inside the camera. The file is parsed by the host application when the camera is

initially discovered. One of the key benefits of GenICam is the ability for camera vendors to introduce new camera-

specific features without needing to update the host application.

Each camera attribute, such as exposure time, is controlled by a specific GenICam feature. The camera includes an

XML device description file for interfacing with third-party GenICam-compliant APIs. A full listing of features that

are included in the XML file is provided in GenICam Features. Throughout this document, GenICam features are

referenced with their applicable operation.

For more information on the USB3 Vision standard, visit visiononline.org.

For more information on GenICam, visit http://www.emva.org/standards-technology/genicam/

GenICam Acquisition Control

Name

Display Name

Description

Value

AcquisitionMode

Acquisition Mode

Sets the acquisition mode of the device. It

defines mainly the number of frames to

capture during an acquisition and the way

the acquisition stops

Continuous

AcquisitionStart

Acquisition Start

Starts the Acquisition of the device. The

number of frames captured is specified by

AcquisitionMode

AcquisitionStop

Acquisition Stop

Stops the Acquisition of the device at the

end of the current frame. It is mainly used

when AcquisitionMode is Continuous but

can be used in any acquisition mode

TriggerSelector

Trigger Selector

Selects the type of trigger to configure. See

chart below.

Acquisition Start

FrameStart

FrameStartBurst

FrameBurstActive

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ISG Allegro LW-AL-CMV12000C-USB3 COLOR Technical Manual

ISG Allegro LW-AL-CMV12000C-USB3 COLOR Technical Manual

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